X-Men: Apocalypse (2016)

Edwin Tan

14 Jan 2026 — 1 min read

Score: 5 / 10
Category: Movie
Platform: Disney+

One-line verdict

Strong visuals let down by rushed storytelling, weak motivations, and an underwhelming portrayal of what should have been a god-tier villain.

What worked

The visual effects are solid. On a spectacle level, the movie looks good.
Some action sequences are enjoyable in isolation.
On paper, Apocalypse as a concept should have been massive and intimidating.

What broke

The story feels messy and inconsistent. Motivations aren’t strong enough to justify major decisions.
The formation of the Four Horsemen doesn’t feel earned. Storm, in particular, has no convincing reason to join Apocalypse.
Characterisation is off. The X-Men feel too young, and certain events happen far too early in their timeline.
Encounters like meeting Wolverine feel rushed and out of place given how inexperienced everyone still is.
Apocalypse himself is a huge disappointment. For the first mutant, his power set feels unclear and strangely limited.
He comes across more like an enhancer or healer than an all-powerful being. At times, Magneto and Jean feel far more powerful than he does.
One especially laughable moment is Storm’s sudden change of heart after seeing Raven attacked, while Psylocke just… stays evil. No real logic there.

What others are saying

Often criticised for its pacing and character overload.
Apocalypse is frequently cited as one of the weakest villains in the franchise.
Visuals are generally praised, but the story and motivations are not.

The section below discusses plot details.

Why this didn’t work for me

This movie should have been bigger, more disciplined, and more threatening. Instead, it feels rushed and uncertain about what it wants Apocalypse to be.

When your villain doesn’t feel as powerful as his supposed subordinates, something is fundamentally wrong. Add in weak character motivations and rushed development, and the whole thing starts to feel hollow.

This lands at a 5 for me. Not unwatchable, but disappointing given the potential. It looks good, but the writing never backs it up.

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